Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-03-03

M9E ENM8A&a
WlgHrHeroz, March 2.-AmouQ the
papers presented by the presiding Of
hceF was q communication from tie
Secretary Of War, with copies Of all die
patches from GENERAL Miles referring 10
The surrender Of Geronimo, and Of the
instructions and correspondence there
on called for BY q resolution. Ordered
pFinted.
Plat, from the Committee on Terri
tories, reported the senate bill 10 vail
date and cure defects ia certain acts Of
the Legislature Of Washington Terri
tory. Passed.
The Senate then proceeded 10 The
consideration OF the Naval AppropFia
ton bill. An amendment vas inserted
10 the item for the BaFeaa Of steam
Engines providing that no part Of the
appropriation shall be applied 20 the
repair Of engines or machinery OF
wooden ships where the stated cost Of
repairs shall exceed 20 per cent. Of the
cost Of new engines and machinery Of
the same character and power. Under
the head Of increase Of the mavy the
committee recommends the striking out
Of the provision for tWo swift, double
bottom. steel cruisers and four gun
boats, 70 cost, exclusive Of armament,
not more than q. 800. 900, and the sub
ststution Of two new sections providing
for six protested steel cruisers With
speed not less than twenty knots, aud TO
oest, exclusive Of rmament, not more
than 100000, and appropFiatinR that
am0unt; also appropFiatinR for aFmA
msnt for the cruisers the amount OF
SO 800, 600; also appropriAting 5000,
600 for heavily aFmoEed vessels; also
appFopriatiu0 10000 for torpedo
boats and 100000 for toFpedoss and
el8,000.000 for armament OF these ves-
sells.
Gray questioned the policy Of the pro-
vision requiring one of the six steel
cruisers 10 BE- built on or near the coast
Of the Pacific Ocean, and two Of them
on the coast Of the Calf OF Ne xioo.
This was only travelling the Secretary
Of she Navg aud interfering With The
general objects proposed. He was 10
favor OF the accomplishment of what
the section proposed, namely, the cree
ton Of swift. available aud effieisn,
cruisers, and therefore moved to strike
oui that provision.
Hale, who has charge OF the bill,
stated that when the bill vas up some
weeks age similar provision had been
adopted after full discussion upon the
motion Of the Senator from Alabama
(MoFRaB). He had believed then and
believed nov that one or two OF these
vessels could be built and built speedily
on the Pacific Coast. The COMMITTEES
on Appropriations had embodied those
features IN this amendment, taking a
pF0poFti0nate number and instead OF
giving two 30 the Pacific Coast had
given one. and Instead sf giving three
10 the Gulf OF Mexico bad given two,
leaving two TO the Atlantic Coast.
Gray modified his motion 10 make the
clause read that ''if IL shall appear 10
the President that the vessel cannot be
constructed ut -ir cost on the Pacific
or Gulf coasts he may consider and &C
ceps bids for huilding the said vessels
At other places instead of susgendinR
their construction until further action
Of Congress
Naxey said there should be at less,
enc great navy yard established on the
Calf coast, where ths bost iron, steel.
live OAK and long lived pine we're at
hand.
The question WAS then taken up on
GFay's amendment rs modified aud il
was rejected.
Plumb moved 20 strike cut the item
OF t6OOO0o fer heavy armed vessels or
batteries or rams for coast defenses.
Hale vas opposed TO the striking out
of tha item.
Dawes said that he bad Just received
telegram from New YorN, signed Am
bfose snow, Chairman OF she Chamber
OF Commerce. Committee on Coast De
fenses aud Pftsidsn, Of the Board Of
Trade and Transportation. The tele-
gram vas In these words, "rhe whole
Commercial community anxiously homes
that some agreement providing ade-
quAte and immediate coast defensea will
be had, II not, RHblie opinion will com
pei an extra session. | send duplicates
hereof 90 your fellow oomferrees. :"
Dawes said IL Congress adjourned with
oui this provision and u, as Il vas 10.
timated Ia the telegram be had read,
public opinion was going 10 fOros sn
extra session Of Congress 60 make this
provision, the fault did noe lie 81 the
door 81 the Senate or OF the senate
committees.
Pending further discussion the Sen
ate went into a secret session and soon
took = recess antil ; o'clock.
Al the evening session che oonsidsra-
non OF the Naval Appropriation bill vas
resumed, the question being on plumb's
amendment 30 strike QUA the amend
ment OF the Committee which omittsd
the sun Of s. 10000 fer heavily Ar
moFed vessels or aFmnred daatinR hat
tsFisa or rams 20 BE- used for coast aRd
harbar defense. The Amendment was
rejected without division. Tbe arnand
ment recommended by the COMMITTEES
was then adopted Withost division, II
strikes cot the House provision for two
swift double bOtt0med steel cruisers ana
four gun boats, all 30 cost, exclusive OF
armament, not more than ea.a50O0O
and inserts IL lien thereof a section
providing for the construction hy con
tract II sir protected steel cruisers With
suitable armament, and With speed Of
nos less than twenty knots. The eost Of
AL The cruisers IL not b. exceed $1,000.
oVo, Additional appropriations are
made Tor machinery and armament.
One Of the vessels is % be built on the
PAcific Coast, and two on or near the
coast OF the Calf of Mckee. For
every quarter knot 81 speed over twenty
kneta The contractor is 60 receive 40
&C, and soF every quarter kuol under
tweAty knots $4,000 vill b. aedactrd
run tbc chhtfAcs Eftce.
Further appropriations are made ss
follows For the construction % heav
lily srmnred vsssels or armored 4 sAtins
batteries oF rams % he used Tor coast
sud harhor defense. &6.0o0OO0; for the
construction Of light draft canhaats
suitable Tor lstertaF WAtaruAys snA
canal sefvise. s7saOoa; for coast rnstion
% torpedo beats 81 the highest attaiua
We sped aud el3cieney. &6l0,o0a. tor
tnFredoes aud other explosives and tor
pe1o Appliances. 10 b. operated from
naval vessels. floating batteries OF Fanss.
tsooosl u Which sum SO 01O shall De
immediately available; for armament
Tor these vessels, 81 .sS0oCo. These ar
psepFia'ions are 10 be avaiiahls aarias
i've years
The uexi material amendment ~
ported ey the Ccuniitteo go ApptepF{.
tioAs sud a1rori e. hy the senate was
abe following F.l Tie purchase hv 81.
Secretary Of the NAVY 10 De shsn dstu
such purchase adystihisl toe DESTROYER
sereG steam vessel e iron. dssisns,d
and baiii by John EsiessaR, SIlgauo.
Aidrtoh odsFed an amendment an
propristins sSa.0o Tor the pafea - ~
toe siiilelta. % he uaei a. . toFpeso
eoAt for experimental paFposes. Agreed /